Texas Grid Shows How Batteries Can Help Avoid Winter Blackouts
Energy storage and other sources of backup power are becoming more important as storms get worse.
A power station in front of the downtown Dallas skyline during a winter storm on Jan. 25.
Photographer: Mark Felix/BloombergLast month’s sprawling winter storm from Texas to New England was one of the first multi-grid tests in the US for big batteries. They passed.
Texas in particular benefited from energy storage, which helped cushion the state’s grid during the storm. Texas has nearly 17 gigawatts of installed battery capacity now, up from less than 0.5 gigawatts in 2021, according to data from Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the state grid operator, and Wood Mackenzie. The state is expected to hit 25 gigawatts in 2029, per an annual assessment released last month by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation.